BA in Chinese Language & Literature

Like all World Languages & Literatures (WLL) majors, Chinese Language & Literature majors generally begin with CAS XL 100 Leaving Home: Explorations in World Literature, a course in which students meet the WLL faculty through guest lectures and are oriented in the rich diversity of the world’s literary traditions. They begin Chinese language study as early as possible and complete at least four language courses beyond the third-term level (CAS LC 211). Students also have the option of taking introductory as well as more advanced courses in Classical Chinese (CAS LC 315, CAS LC 320). Three additional courses in Chinese language, literature, and/or culture (chosen from CAS LC 250 Masterpieces of Chinese Literature and above) provide greater depth in areas of special interest to the student. Students wishing to explore an interdisciplinary approach may substitute one Chinese studies course taken outside the WLL department (for example, in history, art history, the Pardee School, or political science) for one of their three Chinese language/literature/culture courses.

Chinese majors reconvene with other WLL majors in the department’s CAS XL 379 Writing about Literature courses, which will improve students’ writing in the discipline of literary studies and prepare them for their senior project. They join other WLL majors again in the senior capstone seminar CAS XL 479, where they work with a faculty mentor on a final project using Chinese-language materials. The course provides students with structure and research guidance for developing and discussing their projects, while meetings with a faculty language mentor hone students’ advanced language skills as applied to the area of their research. Student presentations build oral communication skills and the ability to describe one’s work to others. Possible final projects could include a research paper on literature, film, or popular culture; an annotated translation or work of subtitling; a video essay; or a digital humanities project. Students producing excellent capstone projects will be encouraged to develop them into senior honors work.

Learning Outcomes

• Advanced knowledge of major themes and genres in Chinese literature and culture from the beginnings to contemporary film and new media.
• Critical thinking, communication, and writing skills within areas of content and cultural knowledge.
• Familiarity with fundamental research skills for Chinese studies, including use of traditional and electronic sources.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Chinese at the intermediate-high level as measured by ACTFL guidelines.

Prerequisites

• CAS LC 111, LC 112, and LC 211
  OR
• equivalent proficiency

Requirements

All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Chinese Language & Literature will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Philosophical, Aesthetic and Historical Interpretation; Diversity, Civic Engagement and Global Citizenship; and Communication, along with requirements in the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major.

A total of ten 4-unit courses is required, all completed with a grade of C or higher. (Courses taken at our study abroad program in Shanghai may be used to fulfill the Chinese language requirements.) 

• CAS XL 100 Explorations in World Literature: Leaving Home (or a substitute XL course for students declaring the major as juniors or seniors)
• CAS XL 379 Writing about Literature
• CAS XL 479 WLL Senior Seminar. A capstone course with a paper or translation project that makes use of Chinese-language sources.
• Four Chinese language courses above CAS LC 211 (third term), including at least one 400-level course, chosen from:
  • CAS LC 212 Fourth-Term Chinese or CAS LC 216 Chinese Reading and Writing 2
  • CAS LC 311 Third-Year Modern Chinese 
  • CAS LC 312 (study abroad only)
  • CAS LC 313 Chinese through Theater and Performance
  • CAS LC 315 Introductory Classical Chinese (taught in English)
  • CAS LC 316 Chinese Reading and Writing 3
  • CAS LC 317 Chinese in Modern Society
  • CAS LC 318 Chinese through Public Speaking
  • CAS LC 319 Chinese in Intercultural Communication
  • CAS LC 320 Advanced Classical Chinese (taught in English)
  • CAS LC 322 Chinese for Professional Purposes
  • CAS LC 411 Fourth-Year Modern Chinese 1 (study abroad only)
  • CAS LC 412 Fourth-Year Modern Chinese 2 (study abroad only)
  • CAS LC 416 Chinese through Literary Masterpieces
  • CAS LC 420 Topics in Chinese through Media
  • CAS LC 426 Chinese American Stories: History, Identity, and Community
  • CAS LC 486 Workshop on Translating and Interpreting Chinese
• Three courses in Chinese language, literature, and/or culture chosen from CAS LC 250 and above (this category includes Chinese pedagogy). With advisor approval, one of these may be a Chinese studies course taken outside the WLL department—for example, in history, art history, the Pardee School, or political science. Courses taken at BU’s Study Abroad program in Shanghai may also fulfill these requirements.

Students placed higher in the language sequence, according to placement test results, should begin with the appropriate level for them.

Placement Test

A placement test is required of all students whose most recent course in Chinese was taken while in high school or at a college other than Boston University and who wish to continue their study of this language here. Information about online testing is available at the World Languages & Literatures Department website.

Honors in the Major

To graduate with honors, students will maintain a GPA in the major of at least 3.4 and will take two additional 4-unit courses beyond the 10 required for the major: one additional LC or XL course chosen with approval of the advisor and one from CAS TL 540 (translation seminar), CAS TL 541 (Translation Today), CAS LC 401, or 402 (continuation of the thesis begun in the capstone seminar). Note that CAS TL 540 and 541 require a zero-unit corequisite, CAS TL 542.